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Phrasal verb: frown on / upon something

Angela Boothroyd — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:18:24 +0000

To frown on, or frown upon something, is to disapprove of it: to believe that it is wrong and that it should not be done.

Examples of use:

1. Having an untidy garden is frowned upon in our neighbourhood.

2. Using your mobile phone in hospital is frowned upon.

3. I don't like visiting my parents. They frown on my lifestyle and tell me I am irresponsible.

4. He doesn't care if his wife frowns on his fast driving.

5. She frowns on her female members of staff wearing short skirts.

infinitive	frown on / upon
present simple	frown on / upon and frowns on / upon
-ing form	frowning on / upon
past simple	frowned on / upon
past participle	frowned on / upon

Angela Boothroyd — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:11:01 +0000

To have words with someone is to argue with them or scold them.

Examples of use:

1. She had words with her step-father two years ago, and they haven't spoken since.

2. If they keep parking their car in my parking space I'm going to have words with them.

3. If her child doesn't stop hitting my daughter I'm going to have words with her.

4. We had words with our next door neighbours because their dog barked all night.

Can you use this expression in a sentence?

Angela Boothroyd — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:49:50 +0000

To talk over something (or talk something over), is to discuss a problem or situation with someone.

Examples of use:

1. I have been offered a job in Japan. I need to talk it over with my husband and children.

2. Richard: I don't know what to do about my mother. She is old, and needs 24 hour care.

Ernest: Come to my house this evening, and we can talk it over.

3. They have many problems in their marriage and they need to talk them over.

Angela Boothroyd — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:39:41 +0000

To invite over somebody (or invite somebody over) is to ask them if they would like to visit you at your home.

To invite around / round somebody or invite somebody around / round means the same thing.

Examples of use:

1. Why don't you invite your boss over for a meal on Friday?

2. I have been invited around to Emma's house.

3. Whenever his parents are away he invites his friends over for a party!

4. We would like to invite you round to our house but our kitchen isn't finished.

5. James invited us over for tea and cakes.

Can you think of any ways to use the phrasal verb 'invite over' in a sentence?

Who do you invite over to your home?